Greg Corin cut a proud figure after steering Hendon United Sports to the MGBSFL Premier Division title in his first season as manager, following the 3-1 victory over last season's winners Oakwood A.
April 16, 2018 09:52
After a late fixture switch, with Oakwood stepping in at the 11th hour following Redbridge Jewish Care's withdrawal, the stage was set for the clash of the titans at Hadley FC.
Oakwood forged ahead early on when Leor Sidle was adjudged onside, despite strong Hendon protests, before going around Hendon keeper Russ Corin and tapping home.
Hendon built up a head of good head of steam towards half-time and they drew level after a brilliant, free-flowing team move saw Yoav Kestenbaum play in the impressive Mordi Weiler who slotted home coolly past Joe Botchin in the Oakwood goal.
With the bit between their teeth, Hendon maintained their momentum to score two more goals in the second half and win the title for the first time since season 2013/14.
A speculative strike from Zac Lewis put them 2-1 up, as his shot dribbled towards Botchin, who allowed the ball to slip through his fingers and into the net.
Super-sub Dovi Fehler sealed the win with a smart turn and short to start the title celebrations.
Hendon boss Greg Corin told JC Sport: “I’m immensely proud of winning the league title today against a competitive and hardworking Oakwood team. For me, the score was deserved and I believe we showed today we are the best team in this league by some way.
"The desire, commitment and effort of today’s performance epitomised our season. Relentless in trying to win game after game and it’s great for the team that we’ve managed to bring it all together.
"The quality in the Hendon squad is deserving of winning many amateur leagues, we’ve scored some tremendous goals and played fantastic football throughout the season."
Hendon concluded their league campaign with 37 points from 14 matches - they have been awarded the points from the postponed fixture against Redbridge - and a plus-nine advantage over Oakwood, who have one match left.
Corin went on to say: "It’s not been easy taking on the mantle of manager left from David Garbacz and also believing that I have still a lot to offer the team as a player but I think I’ve managed to get the player manager balance right and it’s worked well this season for the club.
"We enjoy today and prepare ourselves for the Anekstein final in two weeks time where we know Oakwood will be as fired up as ever and they’ll want to ensure we don’t do the double this year. Hopefully we can put in one more big performance.
"A big thank you to my players, the supporters that turn up to our games, the league committee, the refs, our loyal sponsors CMC Markets and the press; on behalf of Hendon we are very grateful."
Oakwood joint-manager Dan Kristall praised Hendon, who had been preparing to play Redbridge until they withdrew on Thursday.
"After pulling together a squad with 48 hours notice, we take a lot of positives from today. Understandably, Hendon wanted to win the league on the pitch as opposed to a default. As you can see with the league's decision to award the Redbridge game to them, the result today was actually irrelevant in terms of the title but we understood that it was important for this game to be played.
"Hendon behaved superbly in arranging the game with us at such short notice. Football was the real winner."
Reflecting on the match, Kristall commented: "It was an opportunity to use the squad and I felt a draw would've been a fair result. We dominated the first 25 minutes and I felt we controlled the second half. Of course they had chances and carry a threat every time they attack, but I felt we generally dealt with most things they threw at us.
"At 1-1, Hendon made a defensive switch, with a Greg Corin coming on for an attacking player. We were adding strikers on to go for the win where ordinarily and if we hadn’t ended the three points, we’d have closed the door and seen out a draw. They were happy to settle for a draw and I felt at that stage, if there was to be a winner it would be us but an unfortunate moment for ultimately led to them taking the points.
"As I have said to Joe, when outfield players make mistakes, the mistake rarely gets punished with a goal but its so different for keepers. Who would be a goalkeeper? Joe has had an excellent first season for Oakwood and he kept us in the game in the first half today as well as many occasions this season. He is a top goalkeeper."
Kristall is confident Oakwood will bounce back in the Cyril Anekstein Cup final, against Hendon, in a fortnight, and stop the reds from completing the double.
"We can take lots of positives from the performance today against a full-strength Hendon side and we have been generally able to use the game as preparation for the final and an opportunity to give players minutes," he remarked. "We will hope to welcome back a few key players for the final in a few weeks.
"Finally, I'd like to wish Hendon a big mazel tov on winning the title. They deserve it because they have been the most consistent side in the league this season so fair play to them. To win a title, as we saw last season, you have to win games regularly and for several reasons (mainly injuries), we just haven't quite been able to do that this season.
"As for the title, we have already begun working hard behind the scenes on a charge to regain it next season.
"For now, we prepare for the Anekstein final."